Fishing opportunities for 2022
The Council will seek to reach political agreement on the total catch limits and quotas for the EU’s main stocks for the year 2022. The agreement will concern fish stocks located in:
- Union and non-Union waters
- Mediterranean and Black Sea
The Agriculture and Fisheries Council is responsible for setting the EU’s fishing opportunities for EU fish stocks. The setting of catch limits and quotas is not subject to the ordinary legislative procedure; it is a prerogative of the Council.
- Infographic – Setting catch limits and quotas: See full infographic
Unfair trading practices
Ministers will hold a policy debate on unfair trading practices in the food supply chain. Unfair trading practices in relationships between businesses violate the rules of commercial conduct. The food supply chain is vulnerable to such practices due to imbalances between small and large operators, meaning that farmers and smaller businesses often do not have sufficient bargaining power to defend themselves.
Contingency plan on food security
EU ministers will aim to approve conclusions on the contingency plan for ensuring food supply and security in time of crisis, which was presented by the Commission in November, as part of the ‘farm to fork’ strategy.
The goal of the plan is to put in place specific measures to protect the EU’s food supply against threats such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather events, diseases affecting animals, energy shortages, or a breakdown in relations with non-EU trading partners.
- Commission contingency plan for ensuring food supply and food security in times of crisis
- From farm to fork: making Europe’s food healthier and more sustainable (background information)
Other matters
The presidency will update ministers on the state of play of negotiations with the Parliament on the new fisheries control regulation and will share the conclusions of the BIOEAST foresight conference, which it co-hosted with the Hungarian presidency of the Visegrad Group on 27 September 2021.
The Commission will outline the main aims of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and encourage member states to develop a long-term investment strategy that will ensure the funds are used effectively. It will also give a presentation on the proposed regulation on deforestation-free products.
A number of member state delegation will provide information to ministers, including Demark who will inform about keel bone fractures in laying hens and the Czech Republic who will brief ministers about challenges facing the pigmeat sector in Europe.
Meeting information
- Meeting n°3838
- Brussels
- 12-13 December 2021